John Kendall Hansen

John Kendall Hansen, 82 of St. Johns, passed away Friday June 1, 2018. Kendall was born on September 15, 1935 to John Harvey and Pauline Peterson Hansen in Joseph City and was the third of six children.

Kendall attended Holbrook High School where he was a star athlete in track and field and basketball. At age 19 he served a 2 year mission in the Great Lakes Mission. His father passed away while he was on his mission. He married his sweetheart Dorthy “Dottie” Ann Hatch on November 19, 1957 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in economics then earned his law degree from the University of Arizona. He worked in Holbrook for a time then in 1966 was appointed to be the Apache County Attorney in St. Johns where he and Dottie raised their 9 children. He later went into private practice, served as St. Johns city attorney, was a public defender and in between built and remodeled homes. He completed his career as a juvenile probation officer and judge pro-tem.

Kendall was loved and respected throughout the community through his work and church service. He served as Bishop of the St. Johns 3rd Ward, Young Men President, Sunday School President, Gospel Doctrine instructor and other various callings in the church. He enjoyed singing in the ward choir and was a loved member of his congregation.

Having grown up doing farm chores and working at a dairy, Kendall was familiar with hard work. Much of his free time was spent growing gardens, irrigating, working in the yard, hauling firewood and building or fixing things around the house. He always enjoyed sports and loved to attend the high school games.

He loved family and especially enjoyed his grandchildren. He loved holding the babies, giving tractor rides and playing a good game of basketball on the carport. Later in life he and Dottie became foster parents. Over the years many found a place of refuge in their home. Kendall will be remembered as an intelligent, kind and fair man who made an impact in the lives of those who knew him. He will be missed.

Kendall is survived by his wife, Dottie of 61 years, son, Jon Kirk Hansen, daughter, Krisia Jackson, son, Kent (Jennifer) Hansen, son, Todd (Ember) Hansen, son, Davin (Tracy) Hansen, daughter, Kamia Vaughn, son, Michael (Kristen) Hansen, daughter, Belle Hansen and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Maurine Richards, Zeldine Graham, Doris Hunsaker and Kathleen Cooper and brother, Boyd Hansen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Kelyn “Chief” Hansen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. Johns Downtown Chapel, with visitation one hour prior. Kendall will be laid to rest at the St. Johns Cemetery immediately following the funeral services.